Introduction: There has been a steady increase in opioid analgesic prescribing in the past few decades. In the current literature, it is unclear if opioids are required for post-operative pain control in soft tissue hand surgery. This trial compared the efficacy of opioid versus non-opioid pain regimens in elective, soft-tissue hand surgery including carpal tunnel release (CTR), trigger finger release, ganglion cyst excision, and first dorsal compartment release.

Results: A total of 58 patients were randomized, 28 in the AH group and 30 in the AIBU group. A log-rank test showed no significant difference with respect to time until pain free, with a median of 4 days in the AH group and 3.5 days in the AIBU group, p=0.94. There was also no significant difference in percentage of patients receiving rescue opioid meds (AH 3.7% and ABIU 10%; p=0.61). A Longitudinal data analysis also showed no significant difference with respect to VAS, p=0.33 or the Likert pain score, p=0.78.

Conclusions: A combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen is a safe and effective post-operative pain regimen for soft tissue hand surgery procedures. This treatment regimen provides equivalent analgesia when compared to hydrocodone/acetaminophen.